Terminal retaining connector block

ABSTRACT

A new and improved terminal retaining connector block. A resilient tang is provided in a housing passage of the block. When an electrical terminal is inserted in the passage, the tang is depressed by the terminal and then snaps back into a recess in the terminal, locking the terminal in the passage and urging the terminal into firm contact with a wall of the passage shaped to fit the terminal. The terminal further includes projections which orient the terminal to provide for both the initial and final alignment of the recess and the tang. The tang may be depressed to remove the terminal. Another housing similar in structure and including a mating terminal is coupled to the first housing whereby the terminals are connected to complete an electrical circuit.

United States Patent [1 1 Taormina et a1. [4 Oct. 2, 1 .973

[54] TERMINAL RETAINING CONNECTOR 3,440,596 4/1969 Frompovicz 339/206BLOCK Essex International, Inc.

Mar. 11, I968 Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.: 711,675

[52] US. Cl 339/59 R [51] H0lr 13/48 [581 Field of Search 339/59-63, 217

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,012,159 12/1961 Druesedow310/71 3,085,220 4/1963 Sitz 339/18 3,430,185 2/1969 Sitzler et a1.339/59 M 3,289,145 11/1966 Ruehlemann et a1 339/176 PrimaryExaminer-Joseph l-l. McGlynn AtmrneyMolinare, Allegretti, Newitt &Witcoffe I 57 ABSTRACT A new and improved terminal retaining connectorblock. A resilient tang is provided in a housing passage of the block.When an electrical terminal is inserted in the passage, the tang isdepressed by the terminal and then snaps back into a recess in theterminal, locking the terminal in the passage and urging the terminalinto firm contact with a wall of the passage shaped to fit the terminal.The terminal further includes projections which orient the terminal toprovide for both the initial and final alignment of the recess and thetang. The tang may be depressed to remove the terminal. Another housingsimilar in structure and including a mating terminal is coupled to thefirst housing whereby the terminals are connected to complete anelectrical circuit.

19 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures TERMINAL RETAINING CONNECTOR BLOCKBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a new and improvedelectrical terminal retaining connector block.

Various terminal retaining connector blocks exist but, all suffer fromvarious disadvantages. Frequently, the insertion of a terminal inpre-existing blocks is difticult and when the terminal is finallyinserted in its final operating position, the terminal is not firmly andrigidly held by the block. Thereby, the terminal assembly is subjectedto breaking, bending or disengagement when the wire to which theterminal is connected is pulled, twisted, extensively moved or subjectedto other stresses. Moreover, in many of the previous blocks, once theterminal has been inserted in the block, the subsequent removal of theterminal is impossible without severely damaging or destroying theblock. Also, many of the pre-existing blocks are constructed of aplurality of elements thus necessitating additional fabrication andassembly steps thereby resulting in increased costs.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide anew andimproved terminal retaining connector block in which the insertion of anelectrical terminal in the block is facilitated and in which theterminal is firmly engaged and locked in place in the block therebyreducing the possibility of failure of the terminal assembly when stressis placed on the assembly.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a new and improvedterminal retaining connector block wherein a previously installedterminal may be easily unlocked, removed and replaced if desired withoutdamage to the block or the terminal.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved terminal retaining connector block which is simple inconstruction and which is easily fabricated and assembled.

Other objects of our invention will become apparent as it is more fullydescribed hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Reference will frequently be madehereinafter to the drawing in which:

FIG. I is an exploded view of the terminal retaining connector block ofthe preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end cross-sectioned view of one of the block housingportions of the preferred embodiment of the invention taken along line2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational cross-sectioned view of the block housing shownin FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectioned view of the block housing shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 with the terminal removed taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an isometric cross-sectioned view of the block housing shownin FIGS. 2-4 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an end cross-sectioned view of the other block housing portionof the preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along line6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an elevational cross-sectioned view of the block housing shownin FIG. 6 taken along line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectioned view of the resilient tang of the preferredembodiment of the present invention taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan cross-sectioned view of the block housing shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 with the terminal removed taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectioned view of the terminal projections of thepreferred embodiment of the present invention taken along line 10-10 ofFIG. 7; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectioned view of the recessed notched tang of thepreferred embodiment of the present invention taken along line llll ofFIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I, thepreferred embodiment of the present invention generally includes a pairof interfitting housings 2 and 42. Each of the housings is preferably ofone piece construction and constructed of molded nylon or other suitablesynthetic polymeric material. Each of the aforementioned housings has atleast one passage therethrough which carries an electrical terminalfirmly inserted therein.

As shown in FIGS. 2 5 of the drawings, the housing 2 includes a pair ofelongated passages 4 and 4'. Since both of the passages 4 and 4' aresubstantially identical to each other, only the construction of passage4 will be hereinafter described. Passage 4 is bounded by a top wall 6, abottom wall 7, and a pair of side walls 8 and 9 as shown in FIGS. 3 and4.

The bottom wall 7 has a resilient tang l2 integrally molded thereon. Byintegrally molding the tang 12 within housing 2, the tang is protectedfrom damage from sources external of the housing. Carried on the end ofthe tang opposite its connection with bottom wall 7, is a latchingabutment 14, the purpose of which will be later described. Beyond thelatching abutment 14, a flange 16 is carried by the tang forfacilitating depression of the tang to allow removal of a previouslyinserted terminal.

At one end of housing 2, a housing extension 18 is integrally attachedto the housing for protecting the ends of the terminals inserted thereinand for connecting the housing 2 to another housing. The housing 2 mayalso include a panel locking assembly 20 for fixing the assembledterminal retaining connector block to a panel as desired. As shown inFIG. 3, the panel locking assembly 20 includes a notched inclined member22 and a resilient backup member 24. When inserted on the desired panel,the notched inclined member 22 is disposed on one side of the panel andthe resilient backup member 24 on the other side of the panel, therebylocking the assembly in place on the panel. The construction of apreferred panel locking assembly is fully described in copending U.S.Pat. Application Ser. No. 711,682, filed Mar. 8, 1968.

As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 may also include a part of a couplingassembly for connecting the two housings 2 and 42 together. The couplingassembly includes a coupling member 26 having a pair of raised ribs 28with a locking shoulder 30 therebetween. The operation of the couplingassembly will be more fully described later.

A pair of generally cylindrical male terminals 32 and 32' are insertedin housing 2 and its associated passages 4 and 4', respectively. Sinceboth terminals 32 and 32' are substantially identical, only terminal 32will be hereafter described. The terminal 32 includes a male fitting end33 which is adapted to be connected to an electrically conducting wire34 by pressed end sleeves 36 or other suitable means. The terminal 32further includes a recess 38 adapted to receive the latching abutment 14of the resilient tang 16. The terminal also includes integralprojections 40 extending outwardly from its generally cylindricalsurface. The resilient tang 12 is operative, by way of its latchingabutment 14, to both lock the terminal into housing 2 and its associatedpassage 4 and force the terminal against the top wall 6 of the passage.The integral projections 40 on the terminal, orient the terminal duringinsertion and prevent the rotation of the terminal during or afterinsertion in the block by their coaction with side walls 8 and 9. Thus,the recess 38 is maintained in a downwardly facing direction so that therecess will align with and be engaged by the tang l2 and its latchingabutment 14. It should be noted that both the top wall 6 and the sidewalls 8 and 9 include inclined or shaped surfaces whereby they generallyconform to the size and shape of terminal 32. Thus, these walls areshaped to direct the movement of the terminal during its insertion inthe passage as well as to firmly confine movement of terminal 32, ineither a lateral direction or in a rotative direction, by engaging theprojections 40, once the terminal has been inserted in the passage 4 andlocked into position by the tang 12.

A second housing 42, similar to the previously described housing 2, isalso provided, having passages 44 and 44' therethrough. Since passages44 and 44' are also substantially identical, only passage 44 will bedescribed in detail. Passage 44 includes a top wall 46, a bottom wall47, and a pair of side walls 48 and 49, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9.

The bottom wall 47 of passage 44 also includes a resilient tang 52preferably molded in a one piece construction with the bottom wall.Again, since the tang is integrally molded within the housing 42, it isprotected from external damage. A latching abutment 54, for latching theterminal in the housing 42, is carried on resilient tang 52. As shownparticularly in FIG. 8, the latching abutment further includes arecessed notch 55 which generally provides for the ease of inserting thecylindrical terminal into the passage 44 past the latching abutment 54.Resilient tang 52 also includes a flange 56 which serves the samepurpose as the aforementioned flange 16.

Housing 42 also includes a housing extension 58 carried at one endthereof. The purpose of extension 58 is substantially the same as thatpreviously described with reference to housing extension 18 on housing2. The housing 42 also carries the remaining portion of the couplingassembly including a pair of coupling fingers 60 having barbs 61 attheir ends. The barbs are adapted to couple with the aforementionedcoupling member 26 and its associated locking shoulder 30. When couplinghousing 2 and 42 are moved together, barb 61 is slidably moved betweenribs 28 and along the inclined portion of locking shoulder 30 until thebarbs slip over the end of locking shoulder 30 whereby the couplingassembly holds the two housings together.

Inserted in each of the passages 44 and 44, are generally cylindricalfemale terminals 62 and 62' respectively. Since each of the terminals 62and 62" are substantially identical, only terminal 62 will hereafter bedescribed. Disposed at one end of terminal 62 is a generally tubularfemale fitting end 63. An electrical conductor 64 is attached to theother end of the terminal by pressed end sleeves 66 or other suitablemeans. The terminal includes a recess 68 for receiving the latchingabutment 54 of resilient tang 52, the purpose being identical with thatpreviously described for terminal 32. Terminal 62 also includes integralprojections 70 extending from its generally cylindrical surface, foraligning and preventing rotation of the terminal member 63 and itsrecess 68, as previously described with respect to projections 40 onterminal 32. Preferably, the top wall 46 and the side walls 48 and 49 ofpassage 44 are also shaped, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, to conformwith the shape of terminal 62 for the reasons mentioned earlier withrespect to terminal 32.

MANNER OF ASSEMBLY In assembling the terminal retaining connector blockof the invention, terminals 32 and 32' are inserted in passages 4 and 4'respectively as viewed in FIGS. 1 3. The male fitting end 33 of terminal32 is inserted into passage 4 and is moved axially to the right asviewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, between top and bottom walls 6 and 7respectively, and side walls 8 and 9; its movement being guided by theshape of the walls. The fitting end 33 continues to move past thelatching abutment 14 of resilient tang 16. As the generally cylindricalfitting end 33 moves over latching abutment l4, resilient tang 12 isdepressed in a downward direction. As fitting 33 con tinues to be movedto the right, recess 38, which has been maintained in a downwardlyfacing direction by integral projections 40, is finally disposeddirectly over abutment 14, allowing latching abutment 14 to returntoward its original generally undepressed disposition. Thereby, thelatching abutment 14 enters the recess 38 of the terminal and theterminal 32 is now locked in place. Thus, further axial movement of theterminal to the right or the left is prevented. Since tang 12 isresilient, its movement in an upward direction urges terminal 32 intofirm contact with the shaped upper wall 6, firmly seating the terminalin its passage. The terminals projections 40 continue to preventrotative disengagement of the recess 38 from the latching abutment l4.

Terminal 32' is inserted into its associated passage 4' in a mannersubstantially identical to that described with respect to terminal 32.

A pair of terminals 62 and 62' are similarly disposed in passages 44 and44 of housing 42. As viewed in FIGS. 1 and 7, terminal 62 is insertedinto passage 44 from the right and is moved in an axial direction towardthe left. The female fitting end 63 enters passage 44 and passes betweentop wall 46, and bottom wall 47 and side walls 48 and 49. As movement tothe left continues, the terminal passes between top wall 46 and thelatching abutment 54 of resilient tang 52 thereby depressing the tang.As the generally cylindrical fitting end 63 continues to move to theleft, it is moved past the abutment 54 and the recess 68, which has beenpre vented from rotating from its downwardly facing disposition by theprojections 70, is also finally disposed directly over abutment 54.Abutment 54 then moves in an upward direction tending to return to itsoriginal undepressed disposition thereby locking terminal 62 into place.Thus, further axial movement of the terminal to the right or to the leftis prevented and the terminal 62 is urged into firm contact against theshaped top wall 46. Projections continue to prevent the terminal beeninserted in their final operative position, they are firmly locked inplace and can be removed only by exerting a destructive force upon theassembly, with the exception which will hereinafter be-described.

If it is desired to remove or replace a previously installed terminal, asmall screwdriver or other suitable. tool may be inserted through eitherof the housing extensions 18 or 58 and brought to bear in a downwarddirection on the top of flanges 16 and 56. Thus, resilient tangs 12 and52 are depressed and their associated latching abutments 14 or 54 arewithdrawn from their latching engagement with their respective terminalrecesses 38 or 68. With the latching abutments 14 or 54 depressed, theterminal may now be axially withdrawn from its passage.

The two housings 2 and 42 with their associated inserted terminals arethen coupled together. To couple the housings together, housingextention 58 is inserted into housing extension 18. Such insertioncauses the coupling fingers 60 and their barbs 61 to move to the left asviewed in FIG. 1. As barbs 61 move to the left, they pass between theraised ribs 28 on coupling member 26. As they continue to move to theleft, barbs 61 ride up the inclined surface of locking shoulder 30 andfinally pass over the edge of the locking shoulder thereby locking thehousing members 2 and 42 together. Also as housing extension 58 isinserted into housing extension 18, the generally cylindrical malefitting end 33 of terminal 32 enters the tubular female fitting end 63of terminal 62, thus coupling the two terminals together and providingfor a continuous electrical circuit between the terminals. Similarly,maleterminal 32' fits into .female terminal 62'.

It should be understood that in the preferred embodiment hereinabove, itis not necessary that the male terminals be inserted in housing 2 andthe female terminals in housing 42. The disposition of those terminalsmay be reversed. Thus, either housing 2 or 42 may carry either the maleor the female terminals as desired. Also, even though notch 55 is shownonly in connection with female terminal 62, the notch maybe eitherentirely eliminated or both tang members 12 and52 may be notched toaccommodate the passage of either the male terminal 32 or femaleterminal 62. Moreover, it is anticipated that each of the housings mayif desired, have one or several terminals and passages, it not beingintended to limit the invention to only a pair of passages and terminalsas disclosed in the preferred embodiment. Further, the terminals may becylindrical as described or any other suitable shape.

It is to be understood that the embodiment of the invention which hasbeen described is merely illustrative of one application of theprinciples of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A terminal retaining connector block comprising a housing,

at least one passage defined by said housing and extending through thelength thereof and adapted to receive an electrical terminal, saidpassage having at least first and second opposed walls substantiallyfacing each other,

said first wall being shaped to receive the terminal and hold theterminal immobile when it is inserted,

and

said second wall including resilient tang means integral therewith andextending therefrom for locking the terminal against axial movementthereof in said passage and urging the terminal into firm contactingrelationship with said one shaped wall to prevent lateral movement ofthe terminal when the terminal is inserted in said passage.

2. The terminal block of claim 1, wherein said resilient tang meansincludes flange means for releasing the locked terminal to provide forremoval of the terminal after it has been inserted into and locked inthe passage.

3. The terminal block of claim ll wherein said resilient tang means isan integrally molded portion of said housing.

4. The terminal block of claim 1 wherein said resilient tang meansincludes a latching abutment carried thereon;

a terminal inserted in said passage, and

a recess on said terminal receiving said latching abutment whereby saidterminal is locked in said passage and said terminal is urged into firmcontact with said shaped first wall.

5. The terminal block of claim 4 wherein said terminal further includesprojecting means for aligning said recess with said latching abutment.

6. The terminal block of claim 1 further including a first housingextension on the aforementioned housing at one end of said passage,

a second housing having at least one passage defined by said secondhousing and extending through the length thereof and adapted to receivea second electrical terminal, said passage having at least third andfourth walls facing each other,

said third wall being shaped to receive the second terminal and hold theterminal immobile when it is inserted,

said fourth wall including resilient tang means extending therefrom forlocking the second terminal against axial movement thereof in said lastmentioned passage and urging the terminal into firm a pair of terminalsin electrical contact with each other, one of said terminals beinginserted in each of said aforementioned passages,

and a recess on said terminals receiving said latching abutment wherebyeach of said terminals is locked in each of its respective passages andis urged into firm contact with its respective first and third shapedwalls.

8. The terminal block of claim 7 wherein at least one of said terminalsfurther includes projecting means for aligning the recess of said one ofsaid terminals with its associated latching abutment.

9. The terminal block of claim 7 wherein one of said terminals is maleand the other is female.

10. The terminal block of claim 9 wherein said terminals aresubstantially cylindrical.

11. The terminal block of claim 10 wherein at least one of saidabutments includes a recessed notch facili-- tating insertion andremoval of its associated substantially cylindrical terminal.

12. The terminal block of claim 1 wherein said second wall isimperforate and said tang means is mounted on said second imperforatewall and moveable relative thereto.

13. The terminal block of claim I including means in said passage forengaging the terminal when the terminal has been fully received in saidpassage for preventing rotation of the terminal in said passage.

14. The terminal block of claim 1, said resilient tang means including arecessed notch for facilitating insertion and removal of the terminalinto and out of said passage.

15. The terminal block of claim 1 including latching means for engagingand locking the terminal against axial movement in said passage, and cammeans positioned in said passage for engagement with the terminal as theterminal is moved axially in said passage, said cam means moving saidlatching means away from the terminal when the terminal is moved axiallyin said passage.

16. The terminal block of claim 15 wherein said latching means and saidcam means are spaced apart.

17. The terminal block of claim 15 wherein said latching means and saidcam means are located on said resilient tang means.

18. The terminal block of claim 15 wherein said latching means ispositioned further into said passage than said cam means in thedirection of movement of the terminal as the terminal is inserted insaid passage.

19. The terminal block of claim 15 wherein said latching means locks theterminal against axial movement when the latter has been fully insertedin said passage.

1. A terminal retaining connector block comprising a housing, at leastone passage defined by said housing and extending through the lengththereof and adapted to receive an electrical terminal, said passagehaving at least first and second opposed walls substantially facing eachother, said first wall being shaped to receive the terminal and hold theterminal immobile when it is inserted, and said second wall includingresilient tang means integral therewith and extending therefrom forlocking the terminal against axial movement thereof in said passage andurging the terminal into firm contacting relationship with said oneshaped wall to prevent lateral movement of the terminal when theterminal is inserted in said passage.
 2. The terminal block of claim 1,wherein said resilient tang means includes flange means for releasingthe locked terminal to provide for removal of the terminal after it hasbeen inserted into and locked in the passage.
 3. The terminal block ofclaim 1 wherein said resilient tang means is an integrally moldedportion of said housing.
 4. The terminal block of claim 1 wherein saidresilient tang means includes a latching abutment carried thereon; aterminal inserted in said passage, and a recess on said terminalreceiving said latching abutment whereby said terminal is locked in saidpassage and said terminal is urged into firm contact with said shapedfirst wall.
 5. The terminal blocK of claim 4 wherein said terminalfurther includes projecting means for aligning said recess with saidlatching abutment.
 6. The terminal block of claim 1 further including afirst housing extension on the aforementioned housing at one end of saidpassage, a second housing having at least one passage defined by saidsecond housing and extending through the length thereof and adapted toreceive a second electrical terminal, said passage having at least thirdand fourth walls facing each other, said third wall being shaped toreceive the second terminal and hold the terminal immobile when it isinserted, said fourth wall including resilient tang means extendingtherefrom for locking the second terminal against axial movement thereofin said last mentioned passage and urging the terminal into firmcontacting relationship with said third wall to prevent lateral movementof the terminal when the terminal is inserted in the last mentionedpassage, and a second housing extension on said second housing at oneend of its passage, said first and second housing extensions beingcoupled to each other joining the first mentioned and second housingstogether into an integral assembly with their respective passages insubstantially axial alignment with each other.
 7. The terminal block ofclaim 6 wherein each resilient tang means includes a latching abutmentcarried thereon; a pair of terminals in electrical contact with eachother, one of said terminals being inserted in each of saidaforementioned passages, and a recess on said terminals receiving saidlatching abutment whereby each of said terminals is locked in each ofits respective passages and is urged into firm contact with itsrespective first and third shaped walls.
 8. The terminal block of claim7 wherein at least one of said terminals further includes projectingmeans for aligning the recess of said one of said terminals with itsassociated latching abutment.
 9. The terminal block of claim 7 whereinone of said terminals is male and the other is female.
 10. The terminalblock of claim 9 wherein said terminals are substantially cylindrical.11. The terminal block of claim 10 wherein at least one of saidabutments includes a recessed notch facilitating insertion and removalof its associated substantially cylindrical terminal.
 12. The terminalblock of claim 1 wherein said second wall is imperforate and said tangmeans is mounted on said second imperforate wall and moveable relativethereto.
 13. The terminal block of claim 1 including means in saidpassage for engaging the terminal when the terminal has been fullyreceived in said passage for preventing rotation of the terminal in saidpassage.
 14. The terminal block of claim 1, said resilient tang meansincluding a recessed notch for facilitating insertion and removal of theterminal into and out of said passage.
 15. The terminal block of claim 1including latching means for engaging and locking the terminal againstaxial movement in said passage, and cam means positioned in said passagefor engagement with the terminal as the terminal is moved axially insaid passage, said cam means moving said latching means away from theterminal when the terminal is moved axially in said passage.
 16. Theterminal block of claim 15 wherein said latching means and said cammeans are spaced apart.
 17. The terminal block of claim 15 wherein saidlatching means and said cam means are located on said resilient tangmeans.
 18. The terminal block of claim 15 wherein said latching means ispositioned further into said passage than said cam means in thedirection of movement of the terminal as the terminal is inserted insaid passage.
 19. The terminal block of claim 15 wherein said latchingmeans locks the terminal against axial movement when the latter has beenfully inserted in said passage.